Green the word of the day at benefit golf outing

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- The racing Green brothers proved Wednesday that you can go home again.

	Left to right, Randy LaJoie, Jason Keller and Richard Childress sign autographs at the Green Brothers Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Especially if it's for the third annual Green Brothers Celebrity Golf Tournament held at The Summit Country Club in Owensboro. Originally started by fellow Owensboro-native Michael Waltrip, David, Jeff and Mark Green took it over three years ago.

"This is great what the community does to participate and help us out for the charitable cause," said Mark Green, driver of the No. 38 Ford in the Busch Series. "A lot of the racing community helps out donating prizes for the silent and live auction, too.

"The last two years, we were able to raise more than $80,000 each year. And this isn't a very big town, so this is a lot more than we ever expected. This is a big racing community and they love to talk about racing.

"Heck, they'll come out here just to spend money to talk about racing. We love to come back and see the people that helped us when we started racing."

Fans were able to purchase dinner and partake in the auctions and autograph sessions after the tournament. Fans along took to the fairways to watch the event.

They got to see Winston Cup drivers Waltrip and Matt Kenseth, team owner Richard Childress and son-in-law Mike Dillon. Also playing were Busch Series drivers Randy LaJoie, Jason Keller and FOX television analyst Larry McReynolds, to name a few.

"It's just great that these fans get to see the drivers in a different light," said Childress, owner of the No. 30 Chevy driven by Jeff Green. "People see them as daring and all because of what they do on the racetrack.

"But, they all have kind enough hearts to take time out of their busy schedules to help out here. I think it's incredible to see what Jeff and his brothers to do raise money for the organizations.

"I hope I'm better car owner than I am a golfer," Childress said with a laugh. "But, there are some days I question that. I play about three times a year and I just have a good time playing."

Jeff Green not only played in a foursome, he also helped out with the live auction, handed out prizes to winning teams and signed autographs. He said the growth and donations of the tournament are worth all the time that goes into putting it together.

"All the money goes back to our charities and it's just a great cause," Green said. "We kind of dread it sometimes because we have to work so hard to get it going. But once we do, it's worth every minute."

The charities on the receiving end of the generosity of duffers and fans are the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Children's Miracle Network, Busch Series Ladies Association, Motor Racing Outreach and Owensboro Speedzeum, to name a few.